Delicious, savory, hand-held pies are found in cuisines all around the globe. Whether they’re Cornish pasties or empanadas or just old-fashioned, Midwestern turnovers, these portable pies are a tasty way to transform whatever ingredients are on hand into portable, make-ahead meals that are fun to prepare with kids. Littles will enjoy mixing filling ingredients, helping […]
Capital City Parent
Posted inSpecial Issues
Family event calendar
Bingo! night Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30pm. Ages 8 and older. Hosted by the Springfield Park District. Call for more information. Free. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 217-585-2941. Illinois State Fair Aug. 12-22. It’s back. Entertainment, grandstand shows, midway, exhibits, agricultural shows and more. Admission. Visit the Facebook page for event updates. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon […]
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Back-and-forth over back to school
I vividly remember that early afternoon on March 13, 2020, when my children walked home from school for the final time. I watched as they slowly ambled down the sidewalk and up our driveway, weighed down by book bags that had been stuffed to the brim with the entire contents of their desks and crinkled […]
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Having kids help with chores
Not long ago, I was moaning to a friend about not being able to keep up with the messy chaos of my household. Stacks of dishes teetered in the sink, never-ending piles of unfolded laundry towered behind the couch and I constantly felt stressed, cranky and joyless. In response, my brilliant friend pointed out that […]
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Container gardening for kids
Container gardening is a great way to introduce kids to the pleasure of growing their own food and enhance their connection with the natural world. You don’t need a large plot of land or fancy planters to grow your own vegetables. Many types of containers can be used to grow a bounty of veggies, herbs […]
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Why you must talk to your kids about race – especially if they’re white
It’s never too early, or too late, to take on the issue of racism, both within yourself and – yes – with your kids. Indeed, raising children who seek to break down the status quo and fight alongside those who are seeking justice is perhaps one of our most important roles as parents. Why is it so important? Kids are indispensable parties […]
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The Adventures of Abe, the $5 bill
Has your child ever asked you where money comes from? Or have you ever thought about where the money in your wallet has been or where it might be going? Well, Dr. Eli Goodman, a Springfield resident and author, has a story for you. The Adventures of Abe, the $5 Bill, illustrated by Eva Vikman, […]
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How to have a vintage summer
It’s no shocker that we live in an era of organized sports, scheduled playdates and endless summer camps. In today’s busy world, parents often dedicate their summers to shuttling children (sometimes as young as 3 years old) back and forth to all sorts of planned events. While there’s a lot to be said for that, I […]
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Keeping kids active during COVID
Caregivers know intuitively that kids love to move, run and leap. While we’ve always known that letting kiddos run around will make for an easier bedtime, it may be surprising to learn that this kind of active play is also essential for growing a strong body and promoting social well-being. The American Academy of Pediatrics […]
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Teaching sustainability
As parents, my husband and I strive to equip our children with the tools they’ll need to grow into healthy, happy and successful adults. We teach them good manners, talk to them about the importance of personal hygiene, help them with their homework and tell them to eat their vegetables. We make sure that they […]
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Be active indoors
It is said February is the shortest month for a reason. Even in a year with full access to in-person school and a variety of indoor places like children’s museums to visit, cabin fever is hard enough. With pandemic restrictions in place for nearly a year, this February has hit parents and kids harder than […]
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Exploring new genres
Action movies aren’t my thing. If I have a choice of what movie to sit down and watch, you won’t see me picking an action flick. However, if my husband chooses the movie, I may be stuck with an action-packed film, and oddly enough, I often get engrossed in the movie. Recently, the same thing […]
